Comp scene

Comp scene.

Never ever appealed to me. Witnessed too many pilots, not current at all, seeing them once a month on the hill, taking off in conditions they otherwise would never have taken off in. All because it was competition day. Silly, stupid.

And unfortunately, we have sad news today, as two fellow pilots died at the world championship at Piedrahita up north. About 9 reserve deployments on top of it.

Too many pilots fly gliders way too tricky for them, too many pilots fly in comps because they want to have "the biggest one".

Stop it guys, gear down. Fly for fun. Lately I read the book 'the great book of base' by Matt Gerdes, pioneer and godfather basejumping.

Forgive me not quoting him literally, but he started off the book with telling us that basejumping on its own is already impressive enough, that nobody has to overdo it, or will die.

Well that's exactly what we have to bear in mind when we fly our paragliders. It is already impressive enough that we fly, so don't overdo it. You don't need to be the first at the other end, wherever that other end is.

Take care you guys, all of you, and listen to uncle Nick ... . For gods' sake be careful.